Kyocera, a global manufacturer of photovoltaic panels with facilities in San Diego and Tijuana, is gearing up to design and develop solar farms for institutional clients, such as utilities, universities and government entities.

The move builds on Kyocera's recent experience as a solar power-plant developer in Japan, where it built a bundle of utility-scale solar project with financial backing from local partners.

“This offers the customers a turn-key project where they don’t have to worry about what kind of equipment will be used and who installs it," said Cecilia Aguillon, director of marketing and government relations for Kyocera Solar in San Diego. "Our goal is to protect the investment of the solar customer.”

Out of U.S. solar headquarter in Scottsdale, Ariz., Kyocera is advertizing its technical know-how as well as the company's capacity for attracting competitive debt financing. In select cases, Kyocera may invest directly in projects.

Kyocera said it has initiated some limited U.S. commercial solar projects that will come online before the end of the year, but it did not provide further details.

Japan’s quest for more renewable energy amid a prolonged nuclear-power shutdown enticed Kyocera into the role of solar developer.

The Kyoto, Japan-based maker of computer chips, solar cells and mobile phone parts is developing as many as 35 mid-sized solar power plants in Japan that together can produce about 70 megawatts — enough electricity to power about 20,000 homes.

"We started in Japan, and now we’re moving it here," Aguillon said. "Kyocera is very conservative and moves step by step. So this is the next market where we're getting our feet wet and getting moving."

Most of Japan’s 50 nuclear reactors remain offline in response to the tsunami-triggered meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant in 2011. Seeking to reduce its heavy reliance on imported natural gas, oil and coal, Japan implemented government policies a year ago that offer generous guaranteed prices for renewable energy, including solar.

Kyocera opened its Tijuana solar manufacturing plant in 2008, anticipating the ongoing boom in rooftop and utility-scale solar.

The company cited weak demand for U.S.-made panels in April, however, as it announced workforce reductions at its San Diego manufacturing facilities. That downturn coincided with the conclusion of stimulus funding that promoted U.S-made panels.